asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the number of vehicles per mile of road is now 17.2, compared with 12.3 10 years ago; and whether he will expedite construction and improvement of highways in proportion thereto?

I am aware of the figures quoted by the hon. Member, but I cannot accept the precise inference which he draws from them. The traffic capacity of a road depends not on its length, but on its width, layout and form of construction, and a general average of traffic for the country as a whole is not necessarily any criterion of the necessities in any particular district. Tin density of traffic on the lengths of highway which it is proposed to modernise is a prime factor in dealing with road improvement programmes.